2009 Prius Base - $19k

[Matt Herring]

So for now I'm going with the following the use my EBH...

Home - Running 100' extension cord from my first floor living room window to the EBH. Will pull my car to the nearest possible point from my window a couple hours before departure. This does not block traffic in the parking lot and allows me to use my own power source. Prior to departure I'll wrap up the extension cord, put it in my trunk and I'm off. Sometime in the next week or so I'm trying to find an alternate power source that is easier to plug into (and is free).

Work - Using same extension cord I have access to a plug right next to my normal parking spot...this is ideal. My boss doesn't mind me tapping into the outlet and it's in a safe area where nobody will steal my extension cord or do harm to my EBH.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi Matt,

How does the block heater install on the 2nd gen Prius? And does the 3rd gen need one?

[Daox]

It installs just like any other aluminum block engine. There is a open hole in the block and the heater slides into it and there is a clip that snaps in to keep it there.

The 3rd gen doesn't NEED one, but there are benefits just like any car.

[Matt Herring]

Here's a couple pics of my EBH peeking out from my front grill. I prefer to leave it in the sideways position but the receptor out position is fine too.

I plugged my EBH in today before my commute to work just for an hour to see if it would have any impact on engine temps and it did not for that amount of time. In 78 degree ambient temps the engine was at 112 degrees at startup with the EBH plugged in for an hour. In comparison, the other day it was 86 degrees ambient temp and my startup temp without the EBH was 123 degrees. As you can see, the EBH had no impact on engine start up temps with an hour of time logged. Will try 3 hours EBH time before I head home from work today to see if it impacts temps at all...guessing not as it will be about 75 degrees when I depart.

In regards to the Gen III EBH install Wayne said the process is about 45 minutes for him to do it compared to about 15 minutes for the Gen II's for him. Apparently the hole the EBH goes into for the Gen III is somewhat blocked by other parts and it's a bigger job to get it in the Gen III.

[Matt Herring]

I realize the summer months aren't the best for testing/using my EBH but I just got it installed and am trying to guage it's impact on FE...even in the summer.

Before leaving work today I plugged in for 1.5 hours and upon ignition my engine temp was 143 degrees in 86 degree ambient temp. This compared favorably to yesterday when being plugged in for 1 hour when upon ignition my engine temp was 123 degrees in 78 degree ambient temp. The extra half hour of heating (plus 8 degree higher ambient temp) produced 20 more degrees in engine temp.

For real world results, the 1.5 hours of heating today produced a few positive results for my commute home:
1. I was up to temp (157 degrees) within 1/4 mile and 2 minutes of my parking space which usually takes me about a mile and 4-5 minutes to get to that temp.
2. My first 5 minutes mpg was 54 mpg where it is usually is between 35-40 in similar temps on this route.
3. My 11 mile commute home was almost 66 mpg which is about 1.5-2 better mpg than I can usually achieve on this route. This isn't a huge increase in overall mpg but a positive result as I usually get less mpg on my way home from work than to work so I didn't lose any mpg vs. my current overall mpg of 65.8.

Plugging in at work is very easy right now as I have a nice system in place and it's in a safe area where nobody should be messing with my gear. Home is a different story...still working on that one.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi Matt,

How much power does the block heater consume? Do you have a Kill-A-Watt meter?

[MetroMPG]

Glad to see you saw a positive impact on your commute, vs. not seeing anything definitive just looking at coolant temps alone.

I'd have to wonder if the Prius' magic coolant thermos was interfering with your attempt to measure via the coolant temp sensor, IE: your block heater would heat coolant that normally would have cooled off in the engine's coolant jacket. Then you turn on the key and the computer pumps warm coolant from the thermos into the system, moving your block-heated coolant further along the loop.

It'd be more difficult to figure out the net temp increase with such a system.

But I'd expect an hour and a half to put a measurable amount of heat into the car , even from a relatively low power (300w) heater - if that's what you've got.

[Daox]

The coolant system has sensors in the thermos and block. It won't pump colder coolant from the thermos into the block.

IMO the ideal way is to heat the coolant in the thermos so its all insulated. 30-45 minutes and you start up with 150 degree coolant would be so awesome.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Daox

IMO the ideal way is to heat the coolant in the thermos so its all insulated. 30-45 minutes and you start up with 150 degree coolant would be so awesome.

Sounds great to me! Especially in the winter time when heat loss is a bigger problem.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Daox

The coolant system has sensors in the thermos and block. It won't pump colder coolant from the thermos into the block.

That's the first new thing I learned today.

Those Toyota people thought of everything didn't they?